Ascension 2025

So before we get to this text, the first part of Chapter 7 is about 4 terrible beast in the sea, each scarier than the next. But the vision also reveals the Ancient of Days, that is the eternal God.

Takes the throne (rules), White clothing (Purity), While Hair (wisdom), Surrounded by flame (theophany and judgement).

Not only the power to judge, but he is also served by an uncountable multitude, he was observed (worshiped) by an uncountable multitude.

Open the books: current reign, or the lamb's book of life.

Exodus 19:16

[16] On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. (ESV)

Revelation 1:10–11

[10] I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet [11] saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” (ESV)

Trumpets vehicles of the revelation of God.

The bad beasts are defeated but not destroyed, they lose their dominion.

A son of man comes to the presence of God. So a human in God’s court. This has to be accomplished bc humanity was kicked out of God's Court previously. This is a vision of a change in status

Remember the beasts lose their dominion. The Son of Man gains dominion.

And it will include all people nations and languages. It will be a forever dominion, shall not pass away or be destroyed.

So then this is the text connected to Jesus' Ascension.

The old Adam failed in the Garden and he and his offspring could not re-enter God’s space, heaven.

But Jesus, the New Adam, passes the the test in the Garden, he defeats his foes (the beasts), and he is welcomed into heaven. So Jesus ascended into the air and into heaven. He is the Son of man predicted here.

Jesus as the victor has now taken his lace as the ruler of all people, an everlasting kingdom that cannot be taken from him.

We are no longer of the first Adam. Our baptism has made us of the New Adam who reigns. We will reign with Jesus. Remember that God at creation sais that man woud be in his image, and would help him tend the garden, man would have dominion with God. Adam loses it and Christ gets it back.

You are a co-victor with Christ. I know we often live among those who see not need to think about the unseen realm. People race for power in this world, carving out their own private kingdoms. Jesus kingdom is over all others. There is no piece of ground or intellectual property that Jesus does not declare mine.

We, as children of Adam, started out sinful, rebellious enemies of God. Our commitment to our bad behavior, breaking the 10 commandments made us helpers of the beast.

But Jesus wins, not casting up into eternal prison but welcoming us to the highest heaven.

And this king will welcome us to heaven not by taxing us of our food, but instead providing us a spiritual food.